But the sordid sex scandal didn’t end without claiming at least one scalp near Gaetz.
A former colleague, Joel Groenbergwho once worked as a tax collector in Florida, pleaded guilty to six charges, including sex trafficking of a minor, identity theft, stalking, wire fraud and conspiracy to bribe a public official.
As part of his plea deal, he agreed to cooperate with federal investigators and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Gaetz has long denied allegations that he ever had sex with a minor, transported the alleged victim across state lines to engage in prostitution or that he obstructed justice to cover up his actions.
In 2021, Gaetz appeared in Tucker Carlson’s former film Fox News show and claimed: “The person does not exist. I haven’t had a relationship with a 17 year old. That is completely incorrect.”
Donald Trump loyalist Gaetz, a member of the Freedom Caucus known as the “MAGA Squad,” has not yet commented on the latest lawsuit.
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